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50 U.S. state parks everyone should visit in their lifetime

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Richie Diesterheft

With Earth Month kicking off on the first of April and spring in full swing, there is no better time to visit a nearby state park! Our country’s natural diversity is extremely vast. Whether it’s the golden plains of the Midwest, rocky deserts of the rugged West, or lush forests and cliffs of either coast, you can use Yelp to search for that next adventure. Afterwards, don’t forget to share your tips and photos! Whether it’s a trail featuring ancient Native American petroglyphs throughout Anza-Borrego, a scenic suspension bridge within Turkey Run, or a refreshing pool beneath a waterfall at Starved Rock, there is so much beyond our mundane lives to explore outdoors. Hug a tree if you want to, enjoy what Mother Nature gave us and remember to leave behind no trace.

Valley of Fire State Park, Overton, NV; Fire Wave – Photo by Jacqueline T, Yelp Elite
  1. Valley of Fire State Park, Overton, NV

    “This State Park is amazing with so many stone formations and fantastic sceneries. From our tour guide, we understand this state park is the oldest state park in Nevada. It derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park’s attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays.” – Regis K, Yelp Elite

    Custer State Park, Custer, SD – Photo by Bo W., Yelp Elite
    1. Custer State Park (Custer, SD)

    “This park really blew me away. Seriously stunning beauty at every turn…Make sure to drive the Wildlife Loop where you will see bison and wild burros. Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway are both must drives too. The views are outstanding and driving through the tunnels is so cool.” –Jennifer D, Yelp Elite

    Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen, NY; Rainbow Falls – Photo by Alvin C, Yelp
    1. Watkins Glen State Park (Watkins Glen, NY)

    “This place is a MUST DO if you are in the Finger Lakes region. It is simply breathtaking and one of the most unique places I have visited. We came here during October and the scenery was unreal. The colors of the leaves and foliage were so bright and vibrant it looked like a painting. This park was a great hike and the waterfalls were awesome. Definitely put this place on your bucket list!” – Amanda E, Yelp

    1. Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA
    2. Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, FL
    3. Anastasia State Park, Saint Augustine, FL
    4. Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls, NY
    5. Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, IN
    6. Montana de Oro State Park, Los Osos, CA
      • Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, FL
      • Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks, Utica, IL
      • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, CA
      • Waimea Canyon State Park, Waimea, HI
      • Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast, FL
      • Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock, NC
      • Balmorhea State Park, Toyahvale, TX
      • Black Rock Mountain State Park, Mountain City, GA
      • Fall Creek Falls State Park, Spencer, TN
      • Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, WI
      • Fort Casey Historical State Park, Coupeville, WA
      • Lockhart State Park, Lockhart, TX
      • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, CA
      • Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Pine, AZ
      • Hunting Island State Park, Helena Island, SC
      • Catalina State Park, Tucson, AZ
      • Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA
      • Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, TX
      • Vogel State Park, Blairsville, GA
      • Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, TX
      • Antelope Island State Park, Syracuse, UT
      • Lake Anna State Park, Spotsylvania, VA
      • Akaka Falls State Park, Honomu, HI
      • Longhorn Cavern State, Burnet, TX
      • McCormick’s Creek State Park, Spencer, IN
      • Rock Island State Park, Rock Island, TN
      • Rifle Falls State Park, Rifle, CO
      • Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon, NY
      • Ha-Ha-Tonka State Park, Camdenton, MO
      • Silver Falls State Park, Sublimity, OR
      • Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis, IN
      • Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY
      • Snow Canyon State Park, Ivins, UT
      • Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, AZ
      • Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, GA
      • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur, CA
      • Clifty Falls State Park, Madison, IN
      • Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor, WA
      • Afton State Park, Hastings, MN
      • Saint Edward State Park, Kenmore, WA
      • Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville, VA

      Methodology: This is a list of the Top State Parks in the US in the Past Year according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the parks category on Yelp with a large concentration of reviews mentioning “state park,” then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning “state park” between January 1st, 2022 and January 1st, 2023 . This list looked at only businesses in the United States, with a limit of 5 spots in each state and excluded state natural preserves. All state parks were marked open on Yelp as of January 1, 2023.

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